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Sado Island features a coastal road called the Sado Circumference Road (Prefectural Road 45), allowing visitors to enjoy a scenic drive while taking in views of both the ocean and mountains.
This coastal road is also the course for one of Japan’s largest cycling events, ”Sado Long Ride 210,” making it a popular route for driving enthusiasts as well.
However, Sado is Japan’s second-largest island after Okinawa. It’s not something you can casually circle in a short time - it requires considerable planning.
If you want to visit popular tourist spots while driving, we recommend planning at least a half-day tour of the island.
Let’s thoroughly explore how much time you’ll need to drive around the northern part of Sado Island!
The coastal driving route from the western part of Sado Island (Sawada Beach) to the eastern part (Ryotsu Port) covers approximately 103km and takes about 2 hours and 12 minutes of driving time. This is the same as Course C of the Sado Long Ride 210.
Source: Sado Long Ride 210 Course Introduction
Let’s start with the conclusion.
If you’re just driving, 2 hours is sufficient. With brief breaks along the way, it’ll take slightly over 2 hours.
For example, if you include several short stops for restroom breaks and brief rests totaling about 20 minutes, you should plan for 2 hours and 30 minutes of basic driving time.
Add to this your lunch time and any sightseeing stops to estimate your total northern coastal drive duration.
Here are the main tourist spots along the northern coastal road (Sado Circumference Road) and their recommended visiting times:
| Tourist Spot | Visit Duration | Category | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benkei Rock | 15 minutes | Scenic Site | 24 hours |
| Senkaku Bay Ageshima Park | 30 - 60 minutes | Tourist Facility | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
| Onogame | 1 hour | Scenic Site | 24 hours |
| Futatsugame | 1 hour | Scenic Site | 24 hours |
When planning your northern peninsula coastal drive, you can estimate your total time by adding the sightseeing duration for spots you want to visit to this basic schedule:
| Driving + Short Breaks | 2 hours 30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lunch | 40 minutes |
| Total | 3 hours 10 minutes |
While driving around the northern peninsula, you’ll surely want to stop at some attractions!
Let’s explore the main tourist spots and driving highlights along the northern coastal route (Sado Circumference Road) mentioned earlier!
The Sado Circumference Road runs mostly along the coastline. You can enjoy ocean views while driving.
Additionally, many sections of the road are carved along rocky cliffs, offering ocean views on the left and mountain views on the right - a fantastic combination of scenery.
You’ll occasionally pass through small villages. Driving through these retro streets that preserve Japan’s traditional landscape adds a unique charm to the journey.
With such abundant beautiful scenery, it’s not only enjoyable for driving but must be absolutely thrilling for road cycling as well.
Benkei Rock is a power spot featuring a miraculous arrangement of massive rocks. As one of Sado Island’s famous attractions, it requires only a short visit, making it a perfect stop during your drive.
Read more about Benkei Rock
Senkaku Bay Ageshima Park is located at the “Ageshima Fjord,” the fifth scenic point of the famous Senkaku Bay. This area features 30-meter cliffs and unique rock formations stretching for about 3km, with magnificent views said to rival Norway’s Hardangerfjord.
The park features observation decks offering panoramic views of Senkaku Bay, glass-bottom boat tours for exploring the bay and underwater scenery, and in 2023, the aquarium reopened as the “Ageshima Marine Digital Museum.”
Senkaku Bay Ageshima Park Official Website
When it comes to notable features of northern Sado Island, the Z Slope is a must-mention.
This uphill road forms the shape of the letter Z, rapidly gaining elevation. It’s known as one of the most challenging sections of the Sado Long Ride 210 cycling event.
Even when driving, it’s quite thrilling and enjoyable. As you quickly gain elevation with the ocean immediately to your left and nothing ahead in your line of sight, you get the sensation of ascending towards the sky.
Onogame is a rocky mountain standing 167 meters tall. It features well-maintained walking paths for hiking and routes to the summit. Even if you don’t climb to the top, walking the trails is enjoyable, and the expansive grassland offers an incredible sense of openness, making it a must-visit spot in the north.
Read more about Onogame
Futatsugame consists of two turtle-shaped islands. It’s another popular tourist spot. Similar to Angel Road on Shodoshima Island, a path to Futatsugame appears during low tide.
Read more about Futatsugame
Driving around Sado Island’s northern peninsula offers an experience that exceeds all expectations. The scenic drive along steep rocky cliffs, with the vast Sea of Japan to your left and Niigata’s mountains visible across the water, captivates every visitor.
The Sado Circumference Road encircling the northern peninsula alternates between coastal views and inland villages preserving traditional Japanese scenery. Major attractions like Benkei Rock, Onogame, and Futatsugame are all conveniently located along the coastal road for efficient sightseeing. Moreover, the undulating road sections, exemplified by the Z Slope, make this the perfect driving course for automotive enthusiasts.
Using the basic driving time of 2 hours and 30 minutes introduced in this article as your foundation, add the visiting time for attractions that interest you to create your own personalized Sado Island northern peninsula driving plan. A journey through this region, blessed with sea, mountains, and sky, promises an incomparable and moving experience!
